This Sunday is World Mission Sunday a Day of Prayer for the Evangelisation of the World. There will be a collection after Mass today.
All posts by Parish Secretary
The Feast of All Saints
Is on Friday 1st November. Mass at St Cuthbert’s will be at 7.00pm on Thursday 31st October (Vigil) and at 12.15pm on Friday 1st November. Mass in Durham Martyrs parish: Friday 9.30am (St Godric’s school) and 7.00pm (St Joseph’s church.) Mass at St Patrick’s, Langley Moor: Thursday 7.00pm (Vigil) and Friday 9.30am.
Chaplaincy Mass
Prisons Week 13th-19th October
Today we would like to collect items for nepacs to make up Toiletry and Homeless Packs for prisoners being released from Low Newton. Nepacs is a north east charity which has been supporting people affected by imprisonment for over 135 years.
Useful items to contribute to the toiletry packs are toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, shower gel, soap, deodorant (roll-on or spray ), flannels, wet wipes, lip balm, combs, STs, tampons, panty liners. Packs for anyone who is homeless on release include toiletries plus socks, plasters, waterbottle/flask, bacterial gel, Dry Food Pack ( coffee, tea bags, hot chocolate powder , cup-a-soup, cereal bars, sugar, stirrer, mars bars ). Please put donations in the boxes in the narthex on these dates. Your generosity will be very greatly appreciated.
Do you enjoy singing at Mass?
Would you like to be more involved? Why not consider joining the parish choir and help support our liturgy through music? No experience necessary and everyone is welcome! For more details please see Alison after Mass or contact her on alison.mclean1@hotmail.com.
Women in the Church
A talk by Dr Gemma Simmonds CJ. Sr Gemma is Director of the Religious Life Institute at the Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology, Cambridge, and is an internationally renowned speaker and broadcaster. Wednesday 6th November, 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Worswick Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 6UW. Bus leaves St Cuthbert’s at 6.30pm, returning around 9.30pm. Places are limited, so sign up now!
Pray Continually
Today’s parable is intended for disciples living in the time between the first and second comings of the Lord. As Christians, we are people of faith and hope. Faith tells us that Jesus, the Son of God, came into the world to save us from our sins. Faith also enables us to see God at work in our lives today. The Christian virtue of hope assures us that God has a plan for the world, and that each one of us has our part in the unfolding of God’s plan. This is what our lives are for.
But while we wait in hope for the Lord to return, we face many difficulties and struggles. The Christian response is to pray constantly, bringing all our fears and anxieties to God. The widow in the parable is a woman without power or status – one of the ‘little ones’ of Israel. But she obtains justice from the unjust judge by her persistence. All the more, Jesus says, will God, our loving Father, see justice done for his children. Sometimes, we feel that God is slow to hear and answer our prayers, but he asks us to persevere and trust in him.
Lumiere 2019
As
on previous occasions, we shall be opening the Church during the
forthcoming Lumiere festival in Durham (14th to 17th November). In
common with many of the churches in the centre of the city, we hope
to provide a place for quieter reflection where people can light a
candle, say a prayer and also find some “light”
refreshments. We hope to be open from about 6pm to 10pm on the
Thursday, Friday and Saturday and after the evening Mass on the
Sunday. To offer this opportunity, we will need willing hands to
staff the church, to make soups, to sell tea and coffee etc. If you
can help, in any way, please sign up as soon as you can on the lists
on the noticeboard or see Andy Doyle. Thank you.
Our Lady of Walsingham
The Slipper Chapel statue of Our Lady of Walsingham will be visiting St Mary’s Cathedral, Newcastle from Thursday 24th to Saturday 26th October. See poster for details of events during the visit, or go to www.dowrytour.org.uk Copies of daily prayers for the visit are available at the back of church.
Catholic Theology Research Seminar
Events at Minsteracres
Music – Word – Prayer Weekend: The Bishops of England and Wales have announced a Year of the Word for 2020. This weekend will explore ways of connecting scripture to music in the liturgy, ways to bring the psalms to life with music, repertoire for the Year of the Word, and much, much more. If you have a role in the musical or liturgical life of your parish or community, come and find information and inspiration! Led by Paul Inwood, internationally-known author and speaker, liturgist, organist and choir director, and composer of the official Vatican Hymn for the Holy Year of Mercy. Details at www.minsteracres.org
Events at Ushaw
Day of Reflection with Sr Rosarie Spence RSM, Ushaw, Wednesday 27th November, 10.30 am – 3.30 pm. An opportunity to step aside, experience different ways of praying and enjoy a time of personal prayer, all in the beautiful surroundings at Ushaw. The cost is £10 per person, including tea/coffee at the beginning and end of the day. Lunch may be purchased in the Refectory. Booking should be made at www.ushaw.org
Newman: A Saint for Our Time
Journey in Faith
We are pleased to say that our Journey in Faith programme begins on Tuesday 22nd October in the Parish Room at 7pm.
Although designed primarily for those looking to be baptised, received into the Catholic Church and/or confirmed, all parishioners and students are very welcome to come along and to explore the Catholic faith.
The first session will be introductory in nature, discussing the basic question “What is Faith?” and gathering the questions and concerns that people may have and would like to discuss during the programme.
Please note that sessions will conclude by about 8:30pm with the Night Prayer of the Church (Compline). If you want to know more, contact Andy Doyle (0798 543 4185 or andydoyle1066@sky.com).
Gift Aid Statements
Thank you for your continuing generosity towards the financial health of the parish. If you are part of our Gift Aid Scheme, please pick up your “statement of donations recorded” from the box in the narthex. If you have any questions or are not part of the Gift Aid Scheme but would like to know more, please speak to Andy Doyle (0798 543 4185 or andydoyle1066@sky.com).
Faith & Gratitude
Leprosy – Hansen’s disease – is a disease that causes disability and disfigurement. Today, leprosy can be easily cured, though there are still many people in the world who suffer from the disease because of poverty and poor hygiene. But in our Lord’s time, with no treatment, leprosy was a cause of fear and horror. Sufferers were labelled as ‘lepers.’ They were considered unclean, isolated from family and society.
In last Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus taught his disciples about the power of faith. Today, ten men suffering from leprosy approach Jesus on the edge of the village. They have faith that Jesus can cure them, and he does. But only one man, finding himself cured, comes back to thank Jesus. His faith is completed by gratitude. Faith is a trusting readiness to receive the great things God does for us, and also a grateful recognition of what God has done and is doing in our lives. Ironically, the one man who comes back to give thanks is a Samaritan, a despised foreigner. Jesus welcomes everyone who has faith in him.
Ushaw Lecture
The Franciscan Legacy
From the 13th Century to the 21st: An international conference hosted by the Centre for Catholic Studies in partnership with the Capuchin Franciscans of Great Britain, to mark the 800th anniversary of St Francis’ meeting with Sultan Malek Al-Kamil. In Durham, Tuesday 5 – Thursday 7 November. Deadline for registration is Monday 14 October. Centre for Catholic Studies email: ccs.admin@durham.ac.uk or tel: 0191 334 1656.